In the next couple of months, we’ll find out. PC gamers will have the chance to prove their superiority to console heads (and vice versa) with Microsoft’s new operating system, Windows Vista (out Tuesday). Through Vista’s new LIVE function, PC users will be able to sign on to Xbox Live and play against the entire XBL community from the safety and comfort of their preferred platform. So far, Microsoft’s only announced three games that will be LIVE-enabled – “Halo 2,” “Shadowrun” and “Uno,” although they won’t be ready for a couple months – but it’s only a matter of time before they get their act in gear and start churning out other titles that’ll attempt to close the mighty chasm between the two camps. Still, you’ll be able to tell who’s playing on a PC and who’s playing on a console, which should (hopefully) raise the virtual animosity to a whole new level.
At a Microsoft Vista event last night, I got to play a bit of “Shadowrun,” the upcoming multiplayer FPS based on the old school RPG board game (that’s “first person shooter” and “role-playing game”), which will be the same exact game on Vista as it will be on the 360. While I was playing, the only thing running through my head was, “this game is nuts.” (Well, that and “which team am I on?”) It just seems like a really weird blend of genres, targeted at two groups that wouldn’t ordinarily play in the same sandbox. There’s the FPS element, which is all well and good: shoot ’em up with big guns, slash ’em to bits with a sword. But, it also has a heavy fantasy element to it: not only are you playing against dwarves, elves and trolls, you’re also using spells to resurrect dead comrades and stuff. Then there’s the whole flying aspect, thanks to dorky little cybernetic wing-like things that sprout when you need them.

Whatever, I’m sure it’ll all make sense soon. After all, the lead designer on “Shadowrun” happens to have been responsible for the original “Halo,” so you know it’s got to have some amount of cred. Somewhere. Even if there’s a spell involving magick Trees of Life.